they are coming

A new wave of Mississippians is about to hit the big leagues. Baseball America’s organizational top 10 prospect rankings are now posted for all of MLB’s six divisions, and the Magnolia State is well-represented. The highest rated are Petal’s Anthony Alford, No. 2 on Toronto’s list, and ex-Northwest Mississippi Community College standout Cody Reed, Cincinnati’s No. 2. Former Mississippi State star Hunter Renfroe is San Diego’s No. 3; ex-Harrison Central High standout Bobby Bradley is Cleveland’s No. 5; Richton’s JaCoby Jones is Detroit’s No. 6; MSU product Brandon Woodruff is Milwaukee’s No. 7; and State alum Dakota Hudson, a 2016 draftee, is St. Louis’ No. 9. Austin Riley, the ex-DeSoto Central star, just missed making Atlanta’s top 10. In a recent chat about San Diego prospects, Baseball America’s Kyle Glaser defended the selection of Renfroe as the team’s No. 3, calling him an “impact player on both sides of the ball, even with high Ks and low walks.” Crystal Springs native Renfroe made a nice impression (.371, four homers in 11 games) in his brief MLB debut last year and likely will start 2017 as the Padres’ right fielder. Reed, the bespectacled left-hander, also debuted in 2016 and will vie for a Reds rotation spot this spring, and Jones, who got some big league experience last summer, is expected to get a shot at the Tigers’ center field job. Woodruff had a strong year at Double-A Biloxi and is close to breaking through, while Hudson generated a lot of buzz in his 12-game pro debut. Alford and Bradley, rated the No. 4 first base prospect in the minors by MLB Pipeline, likely will start in Double-A this season.